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What Does Personal Injury Mean?

When you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you may want to file a lawsuit — and it is your legal right to do so. However, before you do, it is helpful to understand what personal injury means in the eyes of the law.

What Is Personal Injury?

A personal injury is said to occur if someone is harmed and someone else is legally liable. Personal injury law in California establishes the legal framework that imposes civil liability for injury caused by careless, reckless or intentional acts or omissions of others.

If you suffered physical injuries, you may receive additional compensation for associated damages, such as:

  • lost wages
  • inability to earn an income
  • mental anguish
  • pain and suffering directly associated with the accident

Common Types of Personal Injury Lawsuits

  • Dog Bites
    Dogs can bite for many different reasons. Whether you’re walking in your neighborhood, visiting at a friend’s house, or running at the park, a bite from an unrestrained dog could result in bleeding, stitches and permanent scarring. Under these circumstances, a personal injury lawsuit against the dog owner can be pursued to show the owner’s liability for the injuries and damages.
  • Slip and Fall
    Homeowners and business owners have a responsibility to maintain safety in all areas that the public has access to. Slipping on an unmarked wet floor at the grocery store or falling down steps in an unlit parking lot are incidents that may result in personal injury. If you were injured, or incurred time off work, due to the negligence of an individual or a company responsible for the safety in these areas, a personal injury lawsuit would be appropriate to obtain compensation for your lost wages and medical expenses.
  • Auto, Motorcycle or Trucking Accidents
    Accidents happen every day at home and in the workplace. However, when someone is injured due to an accident on the highway, there’s always the question of a personal injury claim. The most common causes of these types of accidents are driver inattention or recklessness. Catastrophic injuries, or even death, can affect drivers and passengers involved in motor vehicle accidents, and innocent people often pay the price for the carelessness of others.

The best thing to do if you think you may have a personal injury lawsuit is to contact a personal injury lawyer. Our experienced auto accident attorneys can help you make a personal injury claim.